These are the dog days of summer for sure – hot and sticky today, perfect for wet wading, if that’s your bag.

While the fishing on Back Lake has slowed down considerably (I can hardly remember the non stop action of the hex hatch over six weeks ago), the river continues to chug along.

The action has continued to be solid on the Trophy Stretch – lots of trout and salmon in there right now, and the river flow remains lower than normal (125 CFS), due to our lack of rain this summer.

Small flies (caddis, midge and BWO patterns mostly – size 20) presented delicately on 6X leader are probably your best bet right now. 4X leaders need not apply, and 5X may be pushing it right now. The client for guide Chuck DeGray of North Country Fly Shop had some luck with a nice salmon on just such a set up – size 20 caddis larva, presented on a 6X leader. They had a good morning, as they stuck quite a few fish (not all of them made it to the net however!).

Terrestrial patterns are a good choice right now too, so hoppers, ants, damsel flies and spiders can provide a lot of fun top water action.

We have lots of unsettled weather coming over the next four days or so, which will be great for replenishing the watersheds with much needed rain, but bad if you’re up fishing. Be careful waving that graphite stick around this weekend with the thunderstorms that will be blowing through – no trout is worth that!